The LuLac Edition #512, July 3rd, 2008

PHOTO INDEX: BASEBALL, (THE 2008 ENDWELL NEW YORK LITTLE LEAGUE CHAMPS COACHED BY MY OLD FRIEND AND ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST COMPADRE DREW WASHKO,) OUR 1968 LOGO, ELEANOR ROOSEVELT'S PROMOTION OF HOT DOGS (THE ROOSEVELTS SERVED HOTDOGS TO KING GEORGE OF ENGLAND DURING A VISIT DURING WWII), APPLE PIE AND THE GM LOGO.

TOOLS OF THE 4TH

Baseball, hotdogs, apple pie and Chevrolet. As we head into a four day weekend Americans still love the game of baseball. Multiple games at all levels will be played across America, hot apple pie will be on many menus on the picnic table, hotdogs will be a mainstay (my favorites are Sabretts and Hebrew National) and many will be wondering about the fate of Chevrolet with GM's stock at less than $10.00 a share, the lowest since the year I was born. And they say we aren't in a depression! Anyway, with all of the challenges we face, enjoy this weekend with all the tools of the Fourth you can muster. It'll make you feel good....for a while.

VIVA WATERMELON?

A slice of cool, fresh watermelon is a juicy way to top off a Fourth ofJuly cookout and one that researchers say has effects similar to Viagra- but don't necessarily expect it to keep the fireworks up all night long. Watermelons contain an ingredient called citrulline that can trigger production of a compound that helps relax the body's blood vessels, similar to what happens when a man takes Viagra, said scientists inTexas. Found in the flesh and rind of watermelons, citrulline reacts with the body's enzymes when consumed in large quantities and is changed into arginine, an amino acid that benefits the heart and the circulatory and immune systems. Todd Wehner, who studies watermelon breeding at North Carolina State University, said anyone taking Viagra shouldn't expect the same result from watermelon. Actually if you take a look at the prices of Viagra and Watermelon, they're both comparable.

GOP OFFICE OPENS

The state and national Republican Party will open campaign offices throughout Pennsylvania in July, including one in Luzerne County. Pennsylvania Victory, a state organization operating on federal party funds, has begun work with the local GOP and Congressional candidate Chris Hackett. Hackett's campaign has rented the space at the Dallas Shopping Center and Hackett staff members will man the office. No word yet on new County GOP Chair Terry Casey's progress on putting together a local GOP party office in the downtown.

THE LAC'S LOBBYIST

The Lackawanna County commissioners voted 2-1 to hire a Washington-based lobbying firm for $120,000 to help obtain federal funding.The name of the firm, Alston & Bird LLP will provide services on a monthly retainer basis. The firm will work in conjunction with federal legislators to lobby government agencies and look for funding opportunities. Commissioners O'Brien and Washo are once again on the cutting edge here, realizing that lawmakers like Bob Casey represent other counties too. This targeting may find some money in the bowells of the huge immense federal government structure. And a lobbying firm, which wants their contract renewed will have incentive to advocate for more monies.

DUNKIN IN LULAC

Downtown Wilkes Barre and Scranton are getting Dunkin Donuts which is a delight to Mrs. LuLac who loves their coffee. Stores will open in the fall.

1968

The Phoenix Program was a military, intelligence, and internal security program designed by the United States (CIA) and coordinated with the South Vietnam security apparatus during the Southeast Asia war. It was implemented on this day 40 years ago......Two teens were killed at Lake Herman Road in California. They were the first (known) victims of the Zodiac Killer........ Presidential candidates Humphrey, McCarthy, McGovern, Nixon and Rockefeller took a break during the Fourth of July...Statewide, the Commonwealth purchased Lily Lake for $150,000 for use by the State Game Commission.......on the County level, the Joint Airport Board terminated the contract with Dutch Pantry food service...in Wilkes Barre city, residents took to displaying flags and cooking on the grill to celebrate the Fourth On the fourth of July, I traveled to Huntington, Pa. In a white panel truck with my dad and my uncle Andy Dziak. We were going to pick furniture from my cousin Barbara's apartment and bringing it back to West Pittston after her 1 year stint as an educator in that district. (She later taught in the Abington Heights School District for many years). It was muggy, warm and the van overheated but we made it back in time for a grand fourth of July cookout......and the number 1 song in LuLac land this week was Merilee Rush's "Angel Of the Morning". Here it is from YOU TUBE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y16Ac9O9Alc&feature=related.